Theo Walcott signs new Arsenal contract

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LONDON (AP) — Theo Walcott's drawn-out contract standoff with Arsenal ended Friday with the signing of a lucrative new contract.

The English national team forward could have left the club without a transfer fee at the end of the season. He agreed to a 3½-year deal that sees his salary rise by two-thirds to about 100,000 pounds ($160,000) a week.

"I have made it clear from the start that I wanted to stay at Arsenal, so I am pleased we have agreed a deal that everyone is happy with," Walcott said. "What is important now is for the team to realize its potential and win trophies."

Arsenal has not won a trophy since 2005, the year before Walcott joined from Southampton.